Don’t Go to have a look at Mona Lisa
Every day, the Louvre is attended by 25 thousand people and it seems most of them run to admire the famous Mona Lisa in the first place.  The first disappointment comes to be that in fact, the portrait is much smaller than we think, after scrutiny of reproductions in the magazine and pictures all over the web. When only one person gets too close to the picture his head almost completely closes it. Naturally, to see anything in such circumstances is simply impossible.

It is better to go against the main stream of visitors and enjoy the remaining thirty-five thousand treasures of the palace which can be admired entirely. Apartments of Napoleon III, the incredible Egyptian gallery and the remaining from the original building design of the Louvre, dating from XII century are more worth your attention.

Don’t Take a River Dinner Cruise
River Cruise is, in fact, an excellent thing and well worth the 12 euros, which it costs. It allows you to see the city from a different angles and different spots. But when it comes to food on  the board, the price of your trip may increase in 5-7 times. The only thing you get is dinner with a fairly limited choice of dishes in a noisy crowd of people effecting on your appetite.
There is no reason to eat anything bad in the culinary capital of the world where there are a huge number of Michelin stars awarded restaurants.

Don’t Climb the Eiffel Tower
Another cult place, mandatory for every Paris visitor, is a queue to the elevator of the Eiffel Tower. Specifically, there are seven lines, one for each elevator, to the controller and the cashier. Isn’t this just enough for being annoyed.At the same time inside the creation of Gustave Eiffel looks not as fascinating as from the outside.
If the main reason to climb the tower is the desire to see the city from a bird’s flight, it is better to see the tower from outside and go to another places for better scenes. Excellent panoramic view opens from the Tour Montparnasse and even the Arc de Triomphe.

Don’t Visit the Bastille
Visiting the Bastille could be disappointing. The Bastille fortress was completely destroyed during the Revolution, and the tourists go there only to find, a busy traffic intersection and nothing more. So the tale of the once a powerful fortress might remain just at the point it was known to you.
If you wish to get acquainted with the history of the city it is much better to visit a Musée Carnavalet.

Don’t Take a Da Vinci Code Tour
Most of any such tours are merely an expensive wiring for tourists. They will, most likely, not show you a lot of sights and most of the time typical ones.  You will go around the city on the bus, forced to get out of it each time at the sight of the next place, starred in a  shot of some movie.
It is better to spend money on a normal informative tour of the city, in accordance with your interests. Here you are, at least, hear the real history of Paris and learn something new.

Don’t Drink Coffee in the “Famous” Café
Once there is something remarkable in the history of café, it is immediately occupied by the crowds of tourists, prices go up in several times, and the quality of food and drinks fed rapidly deteriorates. The Café de Flore or the Deux Magots – favorite place of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, or Café des Deux Moulins are just samples  of these places.
It is better to look at the places next door. Most likely, there is a great place nearby, whose owners, trying to survive in competition with the famous cafe, keep the normal price, and pay attention to quality and offer a higher servicing.

Don’t Go to Nice
For unclear reasons, most travelers who want to see something more than Paris, automatically think of Nice. However, the only thing that they find there is a bustling city overflowing with ugly pebble beaches and poor history to tell. You can poke a finger in almost any city on the map of France (except maybe the Marseilles), and it will certainly be better than Nice.

It is better to consider other options available. Bordeaux is just perfect for beach holidays. Here you can watch the competition in windsurfing, and there is the biggest dune in Europe, the Dune du Pyla, and the summit which offers stunning views of the Atlantic, the surrounding pine forests and on the chain of the Pyrenees. However, there is no need to go far from Paris. Loire Valley is located just an hour away, and its historical, cultural and gastronomic attractions will be able to keep you busy for a week or even a month.

Thailand
Have you ever been to Thailand? Remember that a glass of beer costs a dollar or even less there? And how you felt when you bought the same drink after returning home? So why not to move to the Land of Smiles for a couple of years? After all, life is short, and nobody can force you to hold it in a stuffy office at the computer. Think of the soft sandy beaches, bright sun, fresh fruit – all this can be less than 500 dollars a month! Of course, you cannot settle on the sand by the sea, but in the North it is not difficult to find a place where the monthly rent for a small apartment is about $30. If you want to live near the blue sea, then you have to lay out about $90 for a room in an apartment. Fruits, vegetables and meat at local markets are mere penny. If you do not want to stand at the stove, you can buy ready-made chicken and rice for $1. And so, you’re going to spend about 200 dollars. The same number can be left for tours, restaurants, parties and various purchases.

Cambodia
When this country was associated exclusively with the bloody regime of Pol Pot and poverty; no one would dare to call it a paradise. But times have changed. Now with safety and cost of living, it may well compete with Thailand. In Cambodia, there are fewer beaches, but one can live in the capital, Phnom Penh at $500 without any problems. It is true, there are increasing numbers of foreigners, but because housing prices have shot up top it is hard to find something cheaper than $200 a month. But for the remaining three hundred one can comfortably exist. Food prices in this country are even a bit lower than that of neighbors: a dinner at a restaurant will cost $2, a simple but tasty dish with a tray ready on the street – half the price. Movement on a local taxi, tuk-tukah will cost a few dollars a day. By the way, the cost of living in nearby Vietnam and Laos is similar, so that when you become tired, you can go to the neighbors.

Philippines
Do not dwell in the capital: the bottom bracket housing prices in Manila is $360. It is better to settle in Cebu, one of the most economically developed provinces of the Philippines, where there are sandy beaches and golf courses, and great shops, and you will pay only $ 150 rent for housing per month. If you pull in a little deeper into the country the rent will fall to $40 per month. About $200 will be required on food, even if you do not give up bad habits: a large glass of beer and a pack of cigarettes in these regions are 55 and 80 cents, respectively. By the way, old people can go to this country on a special “pensioner visa”. And, it is given from already … 35 years. But such young people will have to pay 50 thousand dollars for deposit in the bank. If you are over 50 years, you will need 10 thousand dollars and proof that your monthly pension is not less than 800 dollars. A similar program for retirees “My second home” exists in Malaysia.

Costa Rica
Quite a bit of money will be needed to exist quietly in Costa Rica. Primeval nature, 12 climate zones, and friendly people – all this is available for $500 a month! San Jose stands out among most cities in the world with low cost of goods and services. And the farther from the capital, the lower the cost of housing: 75 km from the city a decent house can be rented for only $250 a month. Bunch of bananas for local markets and street stalls is less than a half dollar, prices in supermarkets are higher by about 30%. Along with living in this paradise Spanish can be improved – lessons will cost much cheaper than at home, or to master surfing. Before going to the American coast, read a book by Erin Van Rheenen “Living Abroad in Costa Rica” – the author himself spent many years in this country and is ready to tell many interesting and necessary details that will help decide on the move.

Belize
This country is considered one of the most beautiful in Central America. Huge beaches, subtropical climate, exotic flora and fauna and the state language is English – all this makes the local coastline very attractive for divers, lovers of snorkeling and various downshifters. In the area of the barrier reef there is one of the best preserved marine ecosystems. Cost of living in these areas is similar to the Costa Rican: to live in a big house in an hour’s drive from Belize City you can for $300 a month, so if you invite a couple of friends under the roof, accommodation will cost just 100 dollars. Local products are cheap; the imported are about 50% more expensive. So those who want to save money, better buy food at village markets or from street vendors. If you are over 45 years, you should register in the program for pensioners that will allow not paying local tax and saving a few dollars. However, before you pack your bags, learn about the local climate. Dry and wet seasons in this country are alternating, and so the weather is not always fun. From May to October rains and hurricanes frequently occur, so if you do not want to spend in the country the rest of your life, but only a few months, come here from November to April.

1. Showing “thumb up” in Iran

In all the countries of Europe and the United States compressed fist or raised up thumb are completely innocent gesture, telling you that everything is correct, everything is going well, you are completely satisfied. But we should not express our feelings this way in Iran. It is considered a gross and obscene insult there.

Another familiar Euro-American symbol is “OK” when the thumb and index finger form a circle, it should not be used in Turkey and Brazil, because the locals will think you are comparing them with some intimate parts of the human body.

2.Touching your head in Thailand

In Buddhist countries, heads of human beings are sacred, as the soul lives there, and therefore, touching the head of even a tiny baby means to offend him. One should never refer to something with a finger. For example, in Malaysia it is considered to be very improper, and in the Philippines, local residents can allow themselves to point to objects and people only with eyes.

3. Calling Ireland, the British Isles

Each state has its own “taboos”. It is not necessary to discuss the Aborigines in Australia, dowry in India and human rights in China. Irish categorically do not like it when their land is called “one of the British Isles”. By the way, if you are not sure whether you can talk about something in a particular country, it is best to stay on neutral issues – the gastronomy and the beauty of the landscape.

4. Dressing as gauchos in Argentina

Some tourists can not resist the temptation to try on a national costume. However, before you dress like the locals, learn the laws of the country. Thus, for the wearing of batik in Indonesia you will have to pay a fine, and it is really quite improper to try on gaucho in Argentina, and go to the barbecue.

5. Entering the Japanese house in shoes

In Japan and other Eastern countries be prepared to take off your shoes before entering the temple or to any house. In the Land of the Rising Sun you will certainly be offered to replace street shoes with slippers, in which you can walk from front door to the living room. However, before you embark on the mat you will have to part with interchangeable footwear. Therefore, always wear clean socks!

6. Presenting bouquet of 12 carnations in Germany

Bouquet seems a perfect gift; however, one should be careful with them as well, because the flowers, their color and the number may have a hidden meaning. In Germany, Poland and Sweden a carnation is brought for the funeral. In Belgium, Italy, France, Spain and Turkey chrysanthemums are used for this purpose. In France and Austria, red roses mean romantic interest, and in Mexico, Chile yellow roses are a sign of grief and separation. An odd number of colors can bring misfortune in China and Indonesia, and in Germany, Turkey and India, as in Russia, by contrast, there should not be an even number of stems in the bouquet.

7. Confusing the name and the surname of the Chinese

The Chinese write their names and surnames not in the usual order, as it is customary in Europe and America: the name usually follows the surname, and therefore appealing to Lee Wong Chi “Mr. Chi” will sound just as absurd as if you call James Smith “Mr. James”.

8. Presenting alcohol to Muslim

Islam does not allow people to drink alcohol. And even if the Muslims drink, they do not do it publicly. Therefore, to give Muslims a bottle of cognac – means to show him his sin. And if the bottle is enclosed even in a luxury case made of pig skin, it will be an obvious insult, because dogs and pigs in the Islamic countries are considered unclean animals.

9. Drinking between toasts in Georgia and Azerbaijan

In Northern Europe, Russia and the former Soviet Union countries toasts are treated very seriously. In Scandinavia and Germany, when saying “Ska!” Or “Prost!” one needs to look into the eyes of those who lift their glasses. In Russia, foreigners are recommended to drink vodka in one gulp. And in Georgia and Azerbaijan, toasts can be pronounced for hours. However, little sip from the glass between the toasts is considered very impolite.

10. Inserting sticks into rice in Japan
If you have decided to take up hashi – chopsticks intended for food, you are to examine the many rituals associated with it. They should always be kept a little up; they cannot intersect or be used as a pointer. And the worst thing that can be done with hashi is to stick them upright in a bowl with rice. So, in Japan they do so only during the funeral rituals.

]]> http://www.travelvivi.com/10-fatal-mistakes-of-travelers/feed/ 0 http://www.travelvivi.com/tours-to-the-house-of-michael-jackson/ http://www.travelvivi.com/tours-to-the-house-of-michael-jackson/#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:07:08 +0000 travelgirl http://www.travelvivi.com/?p=1022 After the death of Jackson, two entrepreneurs from Chicago, organized tours to the former house of the king of pop music.

The small house is located in the industrial town of Gary. Prior to the release of the most selling album of all times “Thriller”, Michael Jackson lived there. It should be noted that, although outside the house is decorated with many cards, badges, plush toys, no one is allowed to go inside. Nevertheless, tourists are invited to look into the exact same house, located across the road at least to get some idea of the abode, in which King of pop music spent his childhood.

The tour is a four-hour trip by bus to the sights of northern Indiana related to the family of Jackson, one way or another. Particular attention is paid to the house at number 2300 on Jackson Street. The house is a low building with white walls. It was here that almost four decades ago; Jackson’s family lived, including all nine children.

Videos with “Jackson 5” presentations are included in excursion bus. This is how the tour to Indiana starts. During the tour, tourists will see Metallurgical Combine, where Joe Jackson, the star’s father worked, the maternity hospital, where Michael Jackson, his brothers and sisters were born and the school they went.

Also, the house in which “Jackson 5″ team made its first debut and an independent recording studio “Steeltown Records”, where in 1967 the first singles of the group were recorded. The culmination of the tour is a trip to the house of the family of Jackson.

Guided tour is $55 for adults and $45 for children from six to 12 years respectively. Participation in the trip for children under the age of five is free.

Tours are held on Saturdays and Sundays. Buses leave at 12:00 from Mattesona and at 12:45 from Chicago’s Hyde Park. Groups can reserve a tour beforehand.

For those who arrive by train, the acquaintance with the city starts from the railway station. When coming out, look around: it is a building of the beginning of last century – one of the most famous and recognizable works of Finnish architecture.

It is unlikely that someone bypasses the Senate Square, an architectural ensemble which was established when in 1812 Alexander I proclaimed Helsinki, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland and the city needed a new main ceremonial attire. To this end, was selected a solemn and majestic empire style, in which all the surrounding buildings are executed.

Turning to the side-street leading to the wharf, is like being transported into the past years: among the remaining houses in the century before, on an accurate pavement bridge there is an old phone booth.

Walking around the city assumes familiarity with the monuments. Sometimes very unusual, as this one, established in honor of the famous author of fairy tales Zacharias Topelius…

… Or with the indispensable seagulls on the head, this monument to Runeberg – a popular poet and author of the text of the Finnish national anthem.

Seabirds feel in the Finnish capital as full-right residents. They masterly saunter through the streets, and sometimes they manage even to out voice the city transport.

Helsinki is a port city. Huge terminals Viking Line and Silja Line are located almost in the center of the capital. Those who are not going to cross the sea on the giant ferry, it is worth to drop in to the shore at least to visit the small market at the pier. It smells like the sea, spices, sweets and has everything: vegetables, fruits, souvenirs, fresh fish, clothes, flowers …

And before Easter there also appear amusing bouquet-like ornaments of colored eggs.

Here with ordinary tickets for public transport, you can board on a tiny raft, floating to the island fortress of Suomenlinna, the journey to which takes only 15 minutes.

Now there is a residential area and several historical museums on the island. The very majestic castle with thick stone walls is a genuine monument of fortification technology.

And if you are on the island in a warm weather, you can swim and relax on a small beach marked as the other beaches of the Finnish capital, with a great funny duck on a pole.

If there is another day in the stock, why not to spend it, as do the inhabitants of Helsinki, going by bus for a walk in the park Seurasaari – an open-air museum?

Here you can see old wooden buildings – from ancient boats to old-age huts from all over Finland. At weekends, local residents are involved in Nordic walking, running; they stroll with children, dogs, feed birds, who immediately fly on crumbs, and those who are smaller, will even sit on your hand. And do not forget to grab along nuts! Squirrels are taking them directly out of the hands.

In the evening, returning to the city center, it is unlikely that you will want to go to bed immediately. To get started, dine in a restaurant: try a flavored soup with smoked salmon, a salad, lightly salted trout and other fish delicacies. Order local pies and drink cider – there is a tough combat against drunkenness in the country, and because of that this low-alcohol drink is very popular. And then you can not miss the acquaintance with the nightlife. In Helsinki, there are a lot of different bars and nightclubs, where you can easily find any of the popular musicians of Finnish groups (if you know them, of course, in person), and simply to have a good time. Only all people who still have at least a few years before retirement age, need to carry a passport. It will have to be regularly shown at the entrance to nightclubs and all other cafes where alcohol is served; alcohol can not be sold to persons under the age of 18, but the restaurants have the right to establish a higher age limit themselves.

We look for companions because we do not want to overpay for single occupancy: some hotels do not make the distinction, one or two people to settle in the room, and take a fixed fee per room – that is, in fact, sometimes living may cost twice as much.

But freedom is worth paying for. After all, traveling alone is, first of all, freedom, it is not only desires, but also on standards, assessments of other people. Thus, in a foreign city the view of strangers can be ignored. So what if it does not threaten life and health, is worth trying for the first time, for example, go to the nudist beach or join the demonstration of “green”.

There is no need to reckon with the wishes of fellow, even in small things: the differences may begin at the discussion of stage route. What lies ahead of you? Living in one room is a serious test. All people are different: one likes to order friends and always creates mess, one can not without the TV, the second prefers silence. This companion will want to sleep until noon, then eat, even though you have just got from the table, then devote a full day hike for shopping, then visit a stuffy museum, located on the wild outskirts of the city. Some even take offense if they offer a break for a while of interest, and then meet. The ancient Greeks said that the biggest thieves are our friends, because they steal the most precious – time. In the trip, when every second counts, especially a pity to spend hours at something that you personally do not need and uninteresting. And if you have to go with a girl, loving pictures, most of the day will go to the photo session, variety of items which would be envy of any glossy magazine. All this time will be able to save, if you go alone. However, if there is to click the shutter on the camera, and to be photographed, you have to regularly turn to strangers, even risking to remain without a photo.

A friend would need some other needed services in the journey. For example, look at the bags while you go to the toilet (in some airports and train stations in the road this institution through a few ups and down).

Most importantly, we need to be aware of the fact that all the problems will be solved themselves. Close people will react quickly if you need any help, because when you have bad feeling, the speaker explained in a tongue of Aborigines will be much more difficult.

On the other hand you can always just talk – remain a long time in silence, without being able to share emotions, to discuss the impression it is not easy, but finding the other person, without knowing the language, even more difficult. Therefore you have to consider what to do in anticipation of the voyage, during a long journey, and take it with a DVD or book.

While those who are fluent in at least English, by contrast, is a tune that they will not be able to relax quietly: casual companion usually looks for a person for many tales of the vicissitudes of fate it is among single people. So the chance to get acquainted with interesting people, and with a boring windbag at times grows.

And finally, the journey alone is an excellent way to stay alone with you. Because we are so often surrounded by family, friends, colleagues, there is not any moment to pause and reflect on life. And this is probably the biggest plus of such visits.

When traveling alone:

• Sign reliable friends the exact route of showing all flights, transfers, and coordinates of the hotels, which plan to stay.
• Leave your friends a copy of the passport, insurance policy.
• Considered and agree, thatthey can forward you some money if the need arises.
• Always keep emergency numbers with you: insurance company, the local police, the number needed to lock the card and cell phone.
• Do not take a lot of things, but do not have to constantly spend time searching for luggage storage.
• Do not leave belongings unattended: always use a hotel safe, and if it is not in the room, take advantage of the safe at the reception.
• Do not keep all the money and documents in one location, purchase a bag, hidden pockets on the belt, arm or leg, but do not forget to leave some money in a purse, so as not to disappoint and thus not angry robber.
• Keep an eye on the balance of your mobile phone .
• Never talk to the strangers, of course, will fail, but do not necessarily communicate to them all the details of their lives and to make any allusions to the level of wealth.
• Have fun and enjoy being alone – in the everyday lives many of us are rarely left alone!

First, you need to define the place where you are going. It will be useful to write your thoughts about the culture of the country, as well as to consider how the local people and their attitudes may differ from yours.

Identified with the country, it is worth spending a bit more time and again writing down what the main purpose of the trip is. For Turkey, it might be getting a beautiful tan, or buying gold ornaments, for the Czech Republic – visiting the maximum number of beer bars, and tasting various types of beers, for India – familiarity with local customs and religion.

On the basis of reading the information on the country and their expectations from the trip, you can try to draw up a rough plan. It can be as broad enough to include a list of attractions (or, perhaps, procedures) that would like to visit, and quite detailed, with a preliminary breakdown by day.

And finally, a significant factor in a successful journey is its financial security. During crisis not everyone can take it with so much money to have the «innocent cannot refuse». If you do not want to feel deprived, it is desirable to plan the budget of all activities. Learn the cost of trips, meals and travel by public transport. Find out the local currency rate, converted to the available savings and divide the sum by the number of days of the trip. Knowing what resources you have will be much easier not to be without the means to travel by taxi to the airport in the end. Will also be useful to find out the rates for roaming with your mobile operator and, perhaps, to think about purchasing a local SIM card operator. Usually it is advantageous for a journey lasting more than a week.

All of the above said may seem complex , but it takes some force to prepare before arrival in the country, you will have arrived there, to spend much of your precious days of vacation obtaining maximum enjoyment.